Democrat and Republican party bosses used to pick the candidates for the White House and Congress who, George Friedman says, governed on principles. Then the reforms of the 1970s happened, Jimmy Carter was the first “beneficary” and ideology has carried the day ever since.
“There is a vast difference between principle and ideology. Principles are core values that do not dictate every action on every subject, but guide you in some way. Ideology as an explanation of how the world works is comprehensive and compelling. Most presidents find that governing requires principles, but won’t allow ideology. But it is the senators and particularly the congressmen — who run in districts where perhaps 20 percent of eligible voters vote in primaries, most of them ideologues — who are forced away from principle and toward ideology.”
That’s a interesting take by the boss of Stratfor, Austin’s open intelligence agency. It only leaves out the obvious truth that President Obutthead is a Socialist ideologue who “governs” as one.
Thus the federal slimdown or semi-shutdown or whatever you choose to call it when the feds close national parks and veteran monuments but keep most federal agencies and their Democrat house organ NPR running full-tilt—instead of negotiating with the budget-setting conservative House for a reduction in entitlement spending.
Can you say Mexican standoff? Sure you can.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 